Why Charles Leclerc’s Fiorano performance positions Ferrari as ‘favourites’ this year. Charles Leclerc’s standout performance at Fiorano has sparked optimism for Ferrari’s 2025 F1 campaign.

Scuderia Ferrari are heading into the 2025 Formula 1 campaign as the Maranello team everyone will be watching, with more eyes on them than any other outfit in the paddock.

Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster switch from Mercedes to Ferrari after 12 years is the ultimate storyline for the sport. The seven-time Formula 1 champion now has a chance to surpass Michael Schumacher’s all-time title record with the very team that cemented the German’s legendary status.

However, Charles Leclerc is determined to ensure that his own ambitions aren’t overshadowed by Lewis Hamilton’s arrival. The Monegasque driver remains Ferrari’s long-term hope and is eager to prove he can challenge for the title in 2025, rather than simply play second fiddle to one of F1’s greatest icons.

The Monegasque driver’s performances in 2024 demonstrated his potential, and had Ferrari avoided missteps in their mid-season development, he could have finished ahead of Lando Norris and possibly even mounted a stronger challenge against Max Verstappen. While he has struggled in the past when Ferrari lacked a front-running car, the upcoming season could mark a turning point.

Thousands of fans gathered at the Fiorano circuit last week as Ferrari unveiled their 2025 challenger ahead of pre-season testing, with Charles Leclerc immediately showcasing impressive pace. According to journalist Ralf Bach, speaking on the F1 Insider YouTube channel, there are early signs that Ferrari may have gained the upper hand over McLaren during the winter, further fueling excitement for the season ahead.

When asked about Ferrari’s prospects ahead of the season opener in Australia, Ralf Bach suggested that the team should be taken very seriously based on the information he had gathered over the winter. He pointed out that Charles Leclerc had set a lap time in the 55-second range at Fiorano, which was remarkably close to Michael Schumacher’s track record from 2004.

Bach noted that, regardless of the conditions, Leclerc’s ability to deliver such a lap time with confidence indicated both his own speed and the strong performance of Ferrari’s new car. Given the team’s recent progress and the work they had put into development, he believed it was no surprise that Ferrari had positioned itself among the frontrunners.

In his view, Ferrari might even be the leading contender at the start of the season, though he acknowledged that time would tell whether this prediction would hold true. He also highlighted the intriguing battle between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, suggesting that the Monegasque currently holds an advantage due to his familiarity with the team. Bach added that, whether consciously or not, the Monegasque’s influence had likely shaped the characteristics of the 2025 car, meaning Lewis Hamilton would need time to fully adapt.